Sign structure



Aug. 15, 1967 P. A. MANN 3,335513 SIGN STRUCTURE Filed March 29, 1965 3 Sheets-$heet 1 INVENTOR. P404 A. M/INN P. A. MANN 3,335,513

SIGN STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 x BY Ma @iwe flrrae/vzy NdE Aug. 15, 1967 Filed March 29, 1965 United States Patent 3,335,513 SIGN STRUCTURE Paul A. Mann, Downey, Calif, assignor to Admiral Ontdoor Advertising, Inc., Long Beach, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Mar. 29, 1965, Ser. No. 443,357 11 (Ilaims. (Cl. 40-76) The present invention relates generally to the field of advertising, and more particularly to a sign that sequentially presents at timed intervals, different messages and background material to the viewing public with a smooth flowing action.

A major object of the present invention is to provide a relatively lightweight, easily portable sign which is adapted to be mounted on conventional billboards, the walls of buildings, or like structures without the use of heavy lifting equipment such as cranes and the like, and one which when installed, sequentially presents different messages, together with accompanying background material, to the viewing public in timed intervals with a smooth, even action.

Another object of the invention is to furnish a sign comprising a plurality of multi-faced elongate members that pivot in unison at timed intervals to define a series of continuous panels, with each panel presenting a different message and supporting background thereon.

A still further object of the invention is to supply a sign, which while incorporating a number of movable members, has a high safety factor and will not damage a child or adult, even though a hand or foot or other obstruction should be inserted between the movable par-ts thereof while they are in motion.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a sign which requires a minimum of maintenance attention, and will not be damaged, even though foreign objects become enmeshed or inserted between the moving parts thereof.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a sign in which the mu-lti-faced members thereof may be removed easily to permit the substitution of new members bearing different messages and background material as desired.

Yet still another object of the invention is to supply a sign which is easily adjusted to present each message to the viewing public for a desired length of time.

A further object of the invention is to furnish a sign that is adapted to be fabricated from standard, commercially available materials whereby it may be leased or retailed at a sufficiently low price as to encourage the widespread use thereof.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description thereof, and from the accompanying drawings illustrating the same, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective View of sign structure supported from a fiat vertical surface;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the sign, taken on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

, FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the sign structure, taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a bottom plan view of a portion of one of the movable prisms shown in FIGURES 1 and 3, taken on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a bottom plan view of one of the prisms shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a bottom plan view of the lower member shown in FIGURE 1, from which the cover plate has been removed, and showing the mechanism used to pivot the prisms in unison at timed intervals to positions where the sides thereof cooperatively define a continuous panel;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional View of the device, taken on the line 7-7 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the sign, taken on the line 8-8 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the sign, taken on the line 9-9 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of the sign, taken on the line 10-10 of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the device, after the cover plate has been removed from the lower horizontal part of the frame shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the device, illustrating the same parts shown in FIGURE 11 after they have been moved to different positions;

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the sign, taken on the line 13-13 of FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 14 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a portion of the sign, taken on the line 14-14 of FIGURE 12;

FIGURE 15 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of one of the rotatable prisms, taken on the line 15-15 of FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 16 is a diagrammatic view of the hydraulic circuit and electrical circuit used in pivoting the prisms shown in FIGURE 1 at timed intervals to cooperatively present different surfaces bearing advertising messages to the viewing public.

With continuing reference to the drawings for the gen eral arrangement of the invention, it will be seen in FIG- URE 1 to include a rectangular frame A which pivotally supports a number of prisms B in side-by-side relationship within the confines thereof. The prisms B are pivoted in unison at timed intervals whereby first, second, and third sides thereof cooperatively present first, second and third vertically disposed panels, on each of which a different advertising message (not shown) is depicted that is ex posed to the viewing public for a desired length of time. The mechanism used in pivoting the prisms B in timed sequence is shown in FIGURES 68, 11, 12. and 16.

The frame A comprises a lower cross piece 10, an upper cross piece 12, and two side members 14. In the interest of both appearance of the frame A and economy, it has been found desirable to use an extruded metallic member C of the same transverse cross section for the lower and upper cross pieces 10 and 12, as well as the side members 14. The member C so employed, as may best be seen in FIGURE 14, includes a web 18 from the longitudinal edges of which two parallel flanges 20 project. Pairs of inwardly extending aligned lips 22 and 24 are provided on those ends of flanges 20 remote from the web 18. Each pair of lips 22 and 24 define a longitudinally extending opening 26 therebetween.

A number of rectangular cover plates 16, preferably three, are provided (FIGURE 14) that can be inserted in the openings 26 of the lower cross piece 10. The Cover plate 16 that normally occupies a center position in cross piece 10 is a few inches longer than one-third the length of the cross piece. Also, each cover plate 16 is less thick than one-half the distance between the adjacent faces of the lips 22 and 24, and these plates can be slid relative to one another when disposed in the lower cross piece 10 to permit access to the interior thereof.

Sections 28 of the configuration shown in FIGURE 10 can be cut from the member C, and when these sections are aflixed to the interior end portions of the side members 14, they serve as supports for the lower cross piece 10 and upper cross piece 12. The cross pieces 10 and 12 may be secured by conventional fastening means such as welding, bolting, or the like (not shown), to the side members 14 and sections 28 to define frame A.

Each of the prisms B comprises two identical lower and upper end pieces 30 and 32, as may be seen in FIGURES 2 and 5, which are in the shape of equilateral triangles. The apexes of end pieces 30 and 32 are truncated, and rigidly afiixed to three longitudinally extending members 34. Three rigid opaque side pieces 36, which are rectangular, are provided for each of the prisms B (FIGURE and the longitudinal edge portions of these side pieces are disposed in recesses 38 formed in the members 34.

Each of the prisms B has a number of reinforcing members 40 positioned in the interior thereof, as best shown in FIGURE 15. The edges of members 40 are in abutting contact wth the interior surfaces of the side pieces 36 and vertical members 34, and are bonded thereto.'A circular metallic plate 42 is affixed to each lower end piece 30 by screws 44 or other conventional fastening means. A circular boss 46 projects outwardly from each plate 42, and a rigid member 48 extends diametrically across each boss, parallel to one of the side pieces 36. The member 48 and interior surface of boss 46 cooperatively define two semicircular cavities 50, as best seen in FIGURE 4.

Each plate 42 is so disposed on one of the end pieces 30, that the center 52 thereof is located equidistant from the other extremities of the three vertical members 34. The center 52 of each plate 42 is in longitudinal alignment with the center line of a bore 54 formed in the upper end piece 32, as shown in FIGURE 2. Each bore 54 is snugly engaged by a tubular bearing 56, the upper end of which terminates in an outwardly extending flange 58, which flange is in abutting contact with the upper surface of the end piece 32.

The web 18 of the upper cross piece 12 (FIGURE 2) has a number of longitudinally spaced stub shafts 60 extending downwardly therefrom, and each shaft is capable of rotatably engaging one of the bearings 56 as shown. The lower surface of the web 18 for upper cross piece 12, also shown in FIGURE 2, is located an appreciable distance from the upper surface of the flange 58 for reasons which will be explained hereinafter.

A number of longitudinally spaced bores 62 are formed in web 18 of the lower cross piece 10, one of which bores is shown in FIGURE 3, and each bore is in vertical alignment with the center line of one of the bores 54 shown in FIGURE 2. Each of the bores 62 is engaged by an elongate externally threaded member 64 through which a bore extends. A body shoulder 68 is defined on the exterior surface of each member 64 that is in abutting contact with the upper surface of the web 18 of lower cross piece 10. Each member 64 is engaged by a nut 69. As can be seen in FIGURE 3, the ends of each bore 66 are in communication with recesses 70 and 72 formed in the end portions of member 64. Bearings 74 and 76 are disposed in the recesses 70 and 72 respectively.

A short shaft 77 projects upwardly through each bore 66 and is rotatably supported in the bore by the bearings 74 and 76. A plate 78 is mounted on the upper end of each shaft 77, from which two semi-circular segments 80 project upwardly in such spaced relationship as to be slidably inserted in the cavities 50 defined by the boss 46 and cross bar 48, as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. A washer 82 is positioned between the under side of the plate 78 and the upper extremity of the member 64, as best seen in FIGURE 3.

Each pair of segments 80 has two adjacent, upwardly and outwardly tapering faces 81 which permit easy engagement with one of the cross bars 48. When each cross bar 48 is in contact with a pair of the faces 81 it supports a substantial part of the weight of the prism B with which it is associated, whereby each cross bar is maintained in pressure contact with the face 81. Due to this pressure contact, there is no rotational play between one of the plates 78 and the prism B situated thereabove.

When one of the prisms B is rotatably supported on a plate 78 as shown in FIGURE 3, and the bearing 56 of the prism engages the stub shaft 60, as shown in FIG- URE 2, the prism can be disengaged from the frame A by lifting it upwardly relative to the plate 78 to permit disengagement of the segments from the openings 50'. The lower end of the prism B is then swung outwardly relative to the frame A and moved downwardly relative thereto to permit disengagement of the bearing 56 from stub shaft 60.

The prisms B are rotatably mounted within the confines of the frame A by reversing the above described process. It will be apparent that the spacing between the upper surface of the top end piece 32 and the web 18 (FIGURE 2.) must be sufficient to permit this upward movement of the boss 46 relative to the plate 78 to permit the engagement or disengagement of the segments 80 and cavities 50.

The lower end of each short shaft 77, as shown in FIGURE 3, is slidably inserted in a transverse bore 84 formed in an end portion of an elongate first crank arm 86. The shaft 77 is held in a non-rotatable position relative to the crank arm 86 by a key 88 that engages ways formed in both the shaft and crank arm. A longitudinally extending slot 90 is formed in each crank arm 86, as illustrated in FIGURE 12, and this slot connects the bore 84 with a second transverse bore 92 in the crank arm that is longitudinally spaced from the first bore 84.

Pins 94 provided 'with beads 96 extend upwardly through second bores 92. Pins 94 also extend through bores 98 formed in first elongate member 100, as may best be seen in FIGURES 3 and 12. Two bolts 102 are provided for each of the first crank arms 86 and extend through bores 104 formed therein to engage transversely aligned tapped recesses (not shown) situated on that side of slot 90 opposite that in which the two bores 104 are formed. By tightening each pair of bolts 102, the portions of the first crank arms 86 on opposite sides of slots 90 are drawn together to cause the surfaces of the arms 86 which define bores 84 and 92 to grip the shafts 77 and pins 94 sufficiently that rotational movement of the shafts and pins relative to the first crank arms is prevented.

A reinforcing bar 106 is affixed to the first elongate member in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 6, and a pin 108 extends transversely through this bar and member. The pin 108 projects outwardly from a circumferential portion of wheel 110. Three slots 112 are formed in the peripheral portion of wheel 110, which are spaced from one another.

Two longitudinally spaced, aligned guides 114 are affixed by bolts 116 or other suitable fastening means to the interior surface of the web 18 of the lower cross piece 10, as best seen in FIGURE 6. The guides 114 serve to slidably support an elongate rigid bar 118, and a bracket 120 is secured by conventional means 122 such as a nut or the like, to one end of a piston rod 124. The piston rod 124 is slidably mounted in a hydraulic cylinder 126. The interior end portions of the cylinder 126 are in communication with two fluid connections 128 and 130, as may best be seen in FIGURES 6 and 16.

One end of the piston rod 124 is connected to a piston 132, 'which is slidably movable in cylinder 126, as shown in FIGURE 16. The bar 118 is reciprocated longitudinally in the guides 114 by alternately discharging fluid into one of the connections 128 or 130 and concurrently discharging fluid from the opposite connection. The mechanism for so automatically discharging fluid into either connection 128 or 130 and then into the other, is shown in detail in FIGURE 16.

The wheel 110 lies in the same horizontal plane as that of the first crank arms 86. Wheel 110 is secured to the lower end of a shaft 134 that is rotatably supported in an elongate member 136 (FIGURE 14) that is similar to member 64. One of the plates 78 and segments 80 are mounted on the upper end of shaft 134, which engage one of the prisms B. A lever 140' is pivotally supported from the elongate member 136. A longitudinally extending slot 142 is formed in lever 140 that slidably engages a pin 144 which projects from the bar 118, as best seen in FIGURE 6.

A pawl 146 (FIGURE 12) is pivotally supported on a pin 148 that is rigidly aifixed to, and extends outwardly from the lever 140. A tensioned helical spring 150 is connected to the left-hand ends of the pawl 146 and lever 140, and at all times tends to pivot the pawl in a counterclockwise direction as shown in FIGURES 6, 11 and 12, to maintain the right-hand end of the pawl in pressure contact with the periphery of the wheel 110. Each time the bar 118 makes a stroke to the right as illustrated in FIGURE 6:, the pawl 146, due to the tension on spring 150, engages one of the slots 112, and rotates the wheel 110 in a counter-clockwise direction 120 for reasons which will be explained hereinafter.

As the bar 118 is moved to the left from the position shown in F GURE 11 to that shown in FIGURE 6, the pawl 146 is disengaged from one of the slots 112 and then positioned in a second one of the slots 112, which is in substantial vertical alignment with the shaft 134 to which the wheel 110 is attached. The time taken for the bar 118 to move from the position shown in FIGURE 11 to that illustrated in FIGURE 6 is approximately the length of time one of the messages on one of the sets of side pieces 36 is visible to the viewing public. This period of time can be varied to a desired duration by a simple manual adjustment of the mechanism shown in FIGURE 16, as will later be explained in detail.

Each one of the first crank arms 86 (FIGURE 13) grips an elongate pin 152 that extends through one of the bores 98 formed in first member 100, and each alternate pin 152 extends into a transverse bore 154 formed in a second crank arm 156. As shown in FIGURE 12, a longitudinally extending slot 158 is formed in the second crank arm 156 that extends from bore 154 to a second bore 160 formed in the second crank arm, which may best be seen in FIGURE 13.

Bolts 162 extend through transverse bores 164 formed on one side of the slot 158 to engage tapped recesses (not shown) situated in member 156 on the opposite side of this slot. When the bolts 162 are tightened, those portions of the second crank arm 156 on opposite sides of the slots 158 are drawn together, and arm 156 grips the pin 152 and a second pin 166 (FIGURE 13) with sufficient force to prevent rotation of the pins relative to the first crank arm 86 and second crank arm 156.

Each second pin 166, as can best be seen in FIGURE 13, pivotally engages a bore 168 formed in a second elongate member 170 shown in FIGURES 11 and 12. The first elongate member 100 and second member 170, in combination with the second crank members 156 and pins 152 and 166, provide a longitudinally stable actuating mechanism for pivoting the prisms B, which mechanism will not deform or bind as the slotted wheel is intermittently rotated by the pawl 146.

The crank arms 86 and 156 are in angular spaced relationship, as can be seen in FIGURE 12. Thus, the crank arms 86 and 156 are never concurrently in longitudinal alignment with the members 100 and 170, for if they were, they would be in dead center positions at which the piston 132 would be incapable of actuating the mechanism shown in FIGURE 16.

To prevent clockwise turning of wheel 110 caused by frictional contact with the pawl 146 as the pawl moves from the position shown in FIGURE 11 to that shown in FIGURE 6, a detent 172 is provided that is pivotally supported on a pin 174 aflixed to the web 18 of the lower cross piece 10. The left-hand end of the detent 172 is connected to a tensioned spring 176, one end of which is aflixed to the flange 20 of lower cross piece most adjacent the wheel 110. The tensioned spring 176 at all times tends to pivot the detent 172 into a position where a roller 178 pivotally supported on the right-hand end of the detent will removably enter one of the slots 112.

The mechanism used in longitudinally oscillating the bar 118 relative to the lower cross piece 10 is shown in FIGURE 16. Two normally open electric switches 180 and 182 are provided, each of which include blades 184 and 186, respectively. Blade 184 is pivoted into engagement with a contact 188 when the left-hand end of the bar 118 engages the blade, as also shown in FIGURE 6. The blade 186 is pressed into engagement with a contact 190 when the bracket has moved to the right sufii ciently to contact the blade. The positions of the switches 180 and 182 relative to the wheel 110 are shown in FIGURE 6.

The mechanism shown in FIGURE 16 includes an electric motor 192, Which by conventional means, drives a pump 194. A tube 196 connects the suction of pump 194 to a reservoir 198. A second tube 200 connects the discharge of pump 194 to a pressure relief valve 202, which valve when a predetermined pressure on the fluid therein is exceeded, discharges the fluid through a line 204 that extends to a T connection 206, one leg of which is connected to a tube 207 that discharges fluid therefrom into the reservoir 198.

A three position, four connection, open center, directional valve 208 is provided that is operated by two solenoids 210 and 212. A tube 214 extends from pressure relief valve 202 to a first connection 216 on valve 208, and a tube 2118 leads from a second connection 220 of valve 208 to a leg of T 206. When the valve 208 is in a first position wherein neither of the solenoids 210 and 212 is electrically energized, the first and second connections 216 and 220 are in communication due to a passage 222 provided in the valve. Fluid discharging from the tube 214 when valve 208 is in the first position, flows through the passage 222, tube 218, T 206, and tube'207 into the reservoir 198. Third and fourth connections 224 and 226, respectively, on the valve 208 are provided with tubes 228 and 230 which extend therefrom to connections 128 and on the hydraulic cylinder 126.

Electric motor 192 is supplied with power through two conductors 332 and 334 having junction points 232a, 232b, 234a and 234b therein. An electrical conductor 236 extends from junction point 234a to blade 184. Contact 188 is connected by a conductor 238 to a terminal of solenoid 212, with the other terminal of this solenoid being connected by a conductor 240 to junction point 232a. I

When switch 184, which is spring-loaded to remain open, is closed at the time the left-hand end of bar 118 moves blade 184 into engagement with contact 188, the solenoid 212 is electrically energized through the circuit above described, and moves valve 208 into a second position where tube 214 is in communication with tube 228. Thereafter fluid under pressure from pump 194 starts to flow into cylinder 126 through tube 228, with the piston 132, piston rod 124 and bar 118 being moved to the right as illustrated in FIGURE 16. Fluid in the cylinder 126 on the right-hand side of piston 132 is concurrently discharged, due to the movement of the piston, through tubes 230, 218, T 206, and tube 207 into the reservoir 198.

The switch 186 is also spring-loaded to normally occupy an open position. Junction 232b is connected by an electrical conductor 242 to blade 186, and an electrical conductor 244 extends from contact 190 to a terminal of solenoid210, with the other terminal of the solenoid 210 being connected by a conductor 246 with junction point 234]). When bar 118 and bracket 210 move to the right sufficiently to close switch 182 as illustrated in FIGURE 16, solenoid 210 is energized to move valve 208 into a third position where the flow therethrough is opposite that described in connection with the second position of valve 208.

After the bar 118 has moved to the left into contact with switch (FIGURE 6), the pawl 146 is disposed in one of the slots 112 in wheel 110. Due to switch 180 being closed, the valve 208 shown in FIGURE 16 is 7 moved into the second position previously described, and the bar 118 and bracket 120 start to move to the right. As the bar 118 moves to the right towards the position shown in FIGURE 11, the lever 140 and pawl 146 are moved in a counter clockwise direction to rotate wheel 110 in a counter clockwise direction.

Rotation of wheel 110 in a counter clockwise direction moves elongate member 100 to the right, with this movement of the wheel 110 continuing through a cycle of 120. The crank arms 8d are pivotally connected to the first elongate member 100 and also rotated 120. The prisms B are so oriented in frame A relative to one another that each movement of 120 of the crank arms 86 results in rotation of the prisms to sequentially dispose the surfaces 36a, 36b and 360 of the side pieces 36 in co-planar alignment. Thus, if each of the surfaces 36a contains a segment of an advertising message and background material, the advertising and background material will be visible to the viewing public as a whole for a predetermined period of time during which the surfaces 36a are in co-planar alignment. The duration of this period of exposure is determined by the length of time it takes the bar 118 to move from the position shown in FIGURE 11 to that shown in FIGURE 6.

A needle valve 250 is connected by a tube 252 to a T 254 in tube 230. A tube 256 extends from valve 256 to reservoir 198. By manually adjusting valve 250 a desired portion of the fluid flowing to cylinder 126 through tube 230 can be bypassed back into reservoir 198, whereby the period of time required for member 118 to move from the position shown in FIGURE 11 to that illustrated in FIGURE 6 is controlled.

In the event the hand or foot of a person should inadvertently become entangled between the prisms B as they move in unison, no damage will be done to the prisms or the mechanism shown in FIGURE 16, for the pressure relief valve 202 will open when fluid cannot discharge through the tubes 228 or 230. When the pressure relief valve 202 opens it discharges fluid from pump 194 back into reservoir 198.

To achieve optimum operation of the invention, the setting of the pressure relief valve is critical. The valve 202 must not open below the pressure on fluid discharging from pump 194 required to reciprocate the piston rod 124 and piston 132 at a desired speed. However, the relief valve 202 must open when the pressure on the fluid is below that at which injury would be done to the foot or hand of a child or adult in case the same were to become inserted between the moving prisms B.

To prevent longitudinal deformation of the lower cross piece 10, two brackets 260, or more if desired, are affixed to a vertical surface 262 adjacent the back of the sign, with legs 264 of the brackets extending across the upper surface of web 18, as shown in FIGURE 14. Tapper bores 266 are formed in legs 264, which are engaged by bolts 268 that extend through openings 270 in web 18. By rotating the bolts 268 in an appropriate direction, the Web 18 may be raised or lowered to bring the entire length thereof into a common plane. The frame A is supported from the surface 262 by bolts (not shown), or other conventional fastening means.

The use and operation of the present invention have been described in detail herein and need not be repeated. The frame A can be supported from a signboard, the side of a building, or the like by conventional means (not shown). It will be apparent that the mechanism shown in FIGURE 16 can be located adjacent the frame A, or remote therefrom, whichever is most convenient for a particular installation. However, one particularly novel feature of the invention is that all portions of the frame A are of the same thickness, which lends the appearance of a framed-picture, not attainable in competitive devices available heretofore.

Although the present invention is fully capable of achieving the objects and providing the advantages here- 8 inbefore mentioned, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment thereof, and I do not mean to be limited to the details of construction herein shown and described other than as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A non-jammable display device for use in presenting a plurality of advertising messages to the viewing public in timed sequence, including:

(a) a generally rectangular rigid frame comprising a hollow lower cross piece, an upper cross piece, and connecting side pieces;

(b) a plurality of longitudinally spaced stub shafts extending downwardly from said upper cross piece;

(c) a plurality of longitudinally spaced vertical shafts rotatably supported in said lower cross piece that project upwardly therefrom and are in coaxial alignment with said stub shafts;

(d) a plurality of parallel prisms. disposed in said frame in side-by=side relationship, which prisms are capable of being concurrently pivoted to permit first, second and third sides thereof to cooperatively define first, second and third panels on which first, second and third advertising messages can be depicted, with each of said prisms including parallel upper and lower ends;

(e) a plurality of centrally disposed engageable means on said lower ends of said prisms;

(f) a plurality of engaging means on the upper ends of said vertical shafts that removably engage said engageable means to impart rotational movement to said prisms when said vertical shafts are turned;

(g) a plurality of hearings on said upper ends of said prisms that rotatably engage said stub shafts, with said upper ends and bearings being so spaced relative to said upper cross piece that said prisms can be moved vertically in said frame sufliciently to permit mounting thereof on said engaging means or removal therefrom;

(h) a plurality of first parallel crank arms rigidly affixed to the lower ends of said vertical shafts that are disposed in said lower cross piece;

(i) a plurality of first pins supported from the outer ends of said first crank arms;

(j) a first elongate member pivotally connected to said first pins;

(k) a wheel rotatably supported in said lower cross piece parallel to said first member;

(1) a second pin that pivotally connects a peripheral portion of said wheel to said first member;

(m) a bar slidably supported for longitudinal reciprocal movement in said lower cross piece;

(n) first means operatively associated with said bar and wheel for pivoting said wheel through when said bar reciprocates from a first position to a second position;

(0) an electric powered motor;

(p) hydraulic means actuated by said motor which means alternately reciprocates said bar from said first to said second position and from said second to said first position;

(q) second means in said hydraulic means for so adjusting said hydraulic means that a predetermined period of time is consumed in the movement of said bar from said second to said first position, which period of time constitutes the length of time one of said messages on said first, second or third panels is exposed to the viewing public; and

(r) third means in said hydraulic means for circulating the fluid therein through a closed circuit to prevent jamming of said device in the event a foreign object becomes inserted between two of said prisms to prevent rotation thereof, which third means circulates said fluid at a sufficiently low pressure that the force exerted by said prisms in attempting to pivot would not injure a part of a person, if said part were said foreign object.

2. A display device as defined in claim 1 wherein said prisms are hollow, each of which includes:

(s) three sheets of rigid material that are afiixed to the sides of said upper and lower ends; and

(t) three rigid members of triangular transverse cross section, each of which is recessed and in fixed abutting contact with adjacent longitudinal edges of two of said sheets.

3. A display device as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said engageable means comprises:

(3) a downwardly extending circular boss; and

(t) a cross bar that extends diametrically across the interior of said boss to divide the same into two semicircular cavities.

4. A display device as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said engaging means comprises:

(u) a plate afiixed to the upper end of one of said vertical shafts;

(v) two spaced semi-circular segments that extend upwardly from said plate, with at least the upper portions of said segments being adapted to the inserted into said cavities, which segments have two adjacent faces that extend upwardly and outwardly from one another and engage a lower portion of one of said cross bars.

5. A display device as defined in claim 1 which further includes:

(s) a plurality of second crank arms rigidly afi'ixed to said first pins and angularly disposed relative to said first crank arms;

(t) a plurality of third pins supported by said second crank arms; and

(u) a second elongate member pivotally connected to said third pins, which second crank arms, third pins and second elongate member, together with said first elongate member cooperatively provide a longitudinally stable assembly that will not deform when reciprocated longitudinally in said lower cross piece.

6. A display device as defined in claim 5 wherein said upper and lower cross pieces and said side pieces are of the same transverse cross section, and each one thereof is defined by an elongate rectangular web from the longitudinal edges of which two parallel flanges extend, and pairs of transversely aligned ribs project inwardly towards one another from the interior surfaces of said flanges, with each of said pairs defining a longitudinally extending opening therebetween.

7. A display device as defined in claim 6 which further includes:

(s) a plurality of cover plates, each of which is substantially shorter than said lower cross piece, which cover plates are slidably supported in overlapping relationship in said openings in said lower cross piece, with said cover plates being adapted to be moved in said openings to positions where access may be had to a desired portion of the interior of said lower cross piece.

8. A display device as defined in claim 1 wherein three slots are formed in the periphery of said wheel and are spaced 120 from one another, and said first means includes:

(s) a lever pivotally supported inside said lower cross piece adjacent said wheel;

(t) means for movably connecting said lever to said bar;

(u) a pawl pivotally supported on said lever;

(v) a first spring that at all times urges a first end of said pawl towards said wheel and forces said first end into one of said slots when said bar is in said first position;

(w) a detent pivotally supported in said lower cross piece adjacent said wheel; and

(x) a second spring that forces a first end of said detent into one of said slots when said bar is in said second position to prevent rotation of said wheel as said bar moves from said second to said first position.

9. A display device as defined in claim 1 wherein said hydraulic means includes:

(s) a hydraulic cylinder, the first and second tubular fittings of which are in communication with first and second interior end portions thereof, which cylinder is disposed in a fixed position within said lower cross piece;

(t) a piston slidably disposed in said cylinder;

(u) a piston rod connected to said piston and to said bar;

, (v) a pump driven by said motor;

(w) a reservoir for hydraulic fluid connected to the suction of said pump;

(x) a multi-position valve connected to the discharge of said pump;

(y) conduit means connecting said valve to said first and second tubular fittings and said reservoir, which valve when in a first position circulates fluid discharged from said pump back to said reservoir through a part of said conduit means, and when in second and third positions said valve alternately discharges fluid from said pump through a part of said conduit means to said first and second tubular fittings, permitting fluid to alternately discharge from said fittings back to said reservoir; and

(2) means for alternately moving said valve to said second and third positions as said bar completes movement to said first and second positions.

10. A display device as defined in claim 9 wherein said valve includes first and second solenoids that can be alternately electrically energized to move said valve to said second and third positions, and said means for moving said valve to said second and third positions, com prises:

(aa) an electrical circuit that includes two springloaded, normally open first and second switches, which are so disposed as to be momentarily closed to complete said circuit when movable portions of said switches are contacted by said bar as it moves to said first and second positions.

11. A display device as defined in claim 9 wherein said second means is a manually adjustable valve connected to the discharge of said pump, which valve as it is adjusted towards an open position, by-passes an increasing volume of fluid into said reservoir to increase said period of time it takes for said bar to move from said second to said first position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,680,316 6/1954 Webster et a1 40-76 X EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner. W. GRIEB, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A NON-JAMMABLE DISPLAY DEVICE FOR USE IN PRESENTING A PLURALITY OF ADVERTISING MESSAGES TO THE VIEWING PUBLIC IN TIMED SEQUENCE, INCLUDING: (A) A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR RIGID FRAME COMPRISING A HOLLOW LOWER CROSS PIECE, AN UPPER CROSS PIECE, AND CONNECTING SIDE PIECES; (B) A PLURALITY OF LONGITUDINALLY SPACED STUB SHAFTS EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID UPPER CROSS PIECE; (C) A PLURALITY OF LONGITUDINALLY SPACED VERTICAL SHAFTS ROTATABLY SUPPORTED IN SAID LOWER CROSS PIECE THAT PROJECT UPWARDLY THEREFROM AND ARE IN COAXIAL ALIGNMENT WITH SAID STUB SHAFTS; (D) A PLURALITY OF PARALLEL PRISMS DISPOSED IN SAID FRAME IN SIDE-BY-SIDE RELATIONSHIP, WHICH PRISMS ARE CAPABLE TO BEING CONCURRENTLY PIVOTED TO PERMIT FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD SIDES THEREOF TO COOPERATIVELY DEFINE FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD PANELS ON WHICH FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD ADVERTISING MESSAGES CAN BE DEPICTED, WITH EACH OF SAID PRISMS INCLUDING PARALLEL UPPER AND LOWER ENDS; (E) A PLURALITY OF CENTRALLY DISPOSED ENGAGEABLE MEANS ON SAID LOWER ENDS OF SAID PRISMS; (F) A PLURALITY OF ENGAGING MEANS ON THE UPPER ENDS OF SAID VERTICAL SHAFTS THAT REMOVABLY ENGAGE SAID ENGAGEABLE MEANS TO IMPART ROTATIONAL MOVEMENT TO SAID PRISMS WHEN SAID VERTICAL SHAFTS ARE TURNED; (G) A PLURALITY OF BEARINGS ON SAID UPPER ENDS OF SAID PRISMS THAT ROTATABLY ENGAGE SAID STUB SHAFTS, WITH SAID UPPER ENDS AND BEARINGS BEING SO SPACED RELATIVE TO SAID UPPER CROSS PIECE THAT SAID PRISMS CAN BE MOVED VERTICALLY IN SAID FRAME SUFFICIENTLY TO PERMIT MOUNTING THEREOF ON SAID ENGAGING MEANS OR REMOVAL THEREFROM; (H) A PLURALITY OF FIRST PARALLEL CRANK ARMS RIGIDLY AFFIXED TO THE LOWER ENDS OF SAID VERTICAL SHAFTS THAT ARE DISPOSED IN SAID LOWER CROSS PIECE; (I) A PLURALITY OF FIRST PINS SUPPORTED FROM THE OUTER ENDS OF SAID FIRST CRANK ARMS; (J) A FIRST ELONGATE MEMBER PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID FIRST PINS; (K) A WHEEL ROTATABLY SUPPORTED IN SAID LOWER CROSS PIECE PARALLEL TO SAID FIRST MEMBER; (I) A SECOND PIN THAT PIVOTALLY CONNECTS A PERIPHERAL PORTION OF SAID WHEEL TO SAID FIRST MEMBER; 